W♥M

Minneapolis: June 13 to June 14

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

06/13 Weezer with Modest Mouse + Momma at The Armory Read More Weezer Weezer's singer Rivers Cuomo brought out his dad, Frank Cuomo, and they play "Back to the Shack". One of the most touching things I have witness in my many years of watching Weezer shows. … Modest Mouse Longtime Portland alternative band Modest Mouse is closing out their Golden Casket Tour, in support of the 2021 album of the same name (on Epic Records) and played an outdoor show at GrindersKC in downtown Kansas City …

06/13/2023 Tuesday

Weezer
with Modest Mouse and Momma
at The Armory
armorymn.com

You guys know we love Weezer. The first time I saw them, it was in 1994, they were opening for Lush. Weezer is still going strong, as evident by their upcoming headlining tour. Their biggest tour yet!

Weezer (10 July 2015)

We last saw Weezer at the now-defunct Basilica Block Party in 2015 and wrote, “As soon as the first few chords of ‘Hash Pipe’ were played, the audience immediately recognized it and started screaming and singing. Other big hits blocks included ‘Surf Wax America’, followed by ‘Island in the Sun’ with personalized "Minneapolis" lyrics, and ‘Beverly Hills’ (which did gangbuster in California, but surprisingly did really well in Minnesota as well).”

Modest Mouse and Momma will open the show. Please note that this is an all-ages show, doors at 5:30pm!

Tour Dates:

Jun 3 Lexington, KY, US Railbird Festival
Jun 4 Huntsville, AL, US Orion
Jun 6 Irving, TX, US The Pavilion
Jun 8 Austin, TX, US Germania Insurance
Jun 10 Oklahoma City, OK, US The Zoo Amphitheatre
Jun 11 Outdoor Bonner Springs, KS, US Azura Amphitheater
Jun 13 Minneapolis, MN, US The Armory
Jun 14 Madison, WI, US Breese Stevens Field
Jun 16 Outdoor Cuyahoga Falls, OH, US Blossom Music Center
Jun 17 Indianapolis, IN, US WonderRoad
Jun 18 Clarkston, MI, US Pine Knob Music Theatre
Jun 23 Outdoor Columbia, MD, US Merriweather Post Pavilion
Jun 24 Outdoor Charlotte, NC, US PNC Music Pavilion
Jun 25 Outdoor Alpharetta, GA, US Ameris Bank Amp
Jun 27 Philadelphia, PA, US TD Pavilion
Jun 28 Bridgeport, CT, US Hartford HealthCare
Jun 30 Bangor, ME, US Maine Savings Amph
Jul 1 Outdoor Worcester, MA, US The Palladium Outdoors
Jul 3 Outdoor Canandaigua, NY, US Constellation Brands
Jul 4 Toronto, ON, Canada Budweiser Stage
Jul 4 Huntsville, AL, US Orion Amphitheater
Jul 6 Québec, QC, Canada Festival d'été de Québec
Jul 9 Gary, IN, US Hard Rock Casino
Jul 11 Pittsburgh, PA, US Stage AE
Jul 13 Outdoor Queens, NY, US Forest Hills Stadium
Jul 28 Niigata, Japan Fuji Rock
Aug 19 West Vancouver, BC, Canada Ambleside Music
Aug 20 Outdoor Auburn, WA, US White River
Aug 22 Outdoor Bend, OR, US Hayden Homes
Aug 24 Outdoor Berkeley, CA, US Greek Theatre
Aug 26 Boise, ID, US Hillcrest Country Club
Aug 27 Magna, UT, US The Great Saltair
Aug 28 Outdoor Greenwood Village, CO, US Fiddler's Green
Aug 30 Phoenix, AZ, US Arizona Financial
Sep 1 Las Vegas, NV, US Zappos Theater
Sep 2 Outdoor Irvine, CA, US FivePoint Amphitheatre
Sep 3 San Diego, CA, US Gallagher Square
Sep 15 Windham, NY, US Catskills Music Festival
Sep 15 Catskill, NY, US Catskills Music Festival
Sep 15 Catskill, NY, US Catskills Music Festival
Sep 16 Windham, NY, US Catskills Music Festival
Sep 16 Asbury Park, NJ, US Sea.Hear.Now
Sep 21 Outdoor Louisville, KY, US Louder Than Life Festival
Sep 29 Ocean City, MD, US Oceans Calling

06/13 James McMurtry with Betty Soo at Turf Club Read More James McMurtry James McMurtry’s upcoming Turf Club show in St Paul is sold out. Tour Dates Nov 10 Space Evanston, IL Nov 11 Fitzgerald's Berwyn, IL ...

06/13/2023 Tuesday

James McMurtry
with Betty Soo
at Turf Club
first-avenue.com

Legendary Austin-based songwriter James McMurtry will be heading out on tour, stopping by the Turf Club in St Paul on June 13, 2023. James’ recent CD, The Horses and the Hounds was released by New West in 2021

Betty Soo to open.

Tour Dates:

Jun 6 Tulsa, OK, US The Mercury Lounge
Jun 7 Tulsa, OK, US The Mercury Lounge
Jun 8 St Louis, MO, US Off Broadway
Jun 9 Bloomington, IL, US The Castle Theatre
Jun 10 Chicago, IL, US Old Town School
Jun 11 Milwaukee, WI, US Shank Hall
Jun 13 St. Paul, MN, US Turf Club
Jun 14 Iowa City, IA, US Wildwood Smokehouse & Saloon
Jun 15 Lincoln, NE, US The Royal Grove
Jun 16 Outdoor Wichita, KS, US Wave
Jun 17 Oklahoma City, OK, US Beer City Music Hall
Jul 22 Menlo Park, CA, US The Guild Theatre
Jul 23 Novato, CA, US HopMonk Tavern - Novato
Jul 25 Grass Valley, CA, US Grass Valley Center for the Arts
Jul 26 Bend, OR, US Volcanic Theater Pub

06/13 Rodrigo y Gabriela at The Fitzgerald Theater Read More Rodrigo y Gabriela Rodrigo y Gabriela are truly in a class all their own, playing a unique blend of flamenco, hard rock, soul, and classical in what they call acoustic metal. The pair first met as thrash …

06/13/2023 Tuesday

Rodrigo y Gabriela
at The Fitzgerald Theater
first-avenue.com

Grammy Award-winning guitar virtuosos Rodrigo y Gabriela is touring in support of their new album In Between Thoughts...A New World (ATO Records).

Rodrigo y Gabriela (15 Aug 2014)

We saw the duo in Aug 2014 and wrote, “Rodrigo y Gabriela are truly in a class all their own, playing a unique blend of flamenco, hard rock, soul, and classical in what they call acoustic metal. The pair first met as thrash metal fans in their native Mexico City, then left to find bigger fortunes in Dublin and are in support of their latest, 9 Dead Alive (Rubyworks Records), which pays tribute to a different social champion in each of its songs.”

Tour Dates:

05/18 – Houston, TX – Smart Financial Centre *
05/19 – Austin, TX – ACL Live At Moody Theatre *
05/20 – San Antonio, TX – The Espee Pavilion at St. Paul Square *
05/21 – Dallas, TX – AT&T Strauss Square *
05/25 – Scottsdale, AZ – Virginia G. Piper Theater *
05/26 – San Diego, CA – Humphreys Concerts By The Bay + *
05/27 – San Diego, CA – Humphreys Concerts By The Bay + *
06/01 – Los Angeles, CA – YouTube Theatre + ^
06/02 – San Bernardino, CA – Yaamava’ Theater
06/03 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater ^
06/04 – Sacramento, CA – Mondavi Center @ UC Davis ^
06/07 – Portland, OR – McMenamins Grand Lodge ^
06/08 – Woodinville, WA – Chateau Ste Michel ^
06/10 – Salt Lake City, UT – Sandy Amphitheater ^
06/11 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre + ^
06/13 – Minneapolis, MN – Fitzgerald Theatre
06/14 – Madison, WI – Orpheum Theater ⁰
06/16 – Chicago, IL – The Chicago Theatre ⁰
06/17 – Detroit, MI – Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre ⁰
06/19 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium ⁰
06/20 – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Symphony Hall ⁰
06/22 – Durham, NC – Carolina Theatre ⁰
06/23 – Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheater ⁰
06/24 – Washington, DC – The Atlantis ⁰ (SOLD OUT)
06/25 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club ⁰
06/27 – Brooklyn, NY – Kings Theatre ⁰
06/28 – Philadelphia, PA – Longwood Gardens ⁰ (SOLD OUT)
06/29 – Boston, MA – Chevalier Theater ⁰
07/01 – Montreal, QC – Montreal Jazz Fest, Salle Wilfrid–Pelletier | Place des Arts
07/02 – Niagara Falls, ON – Fallsview Casino Avalon Theatre
09/25 – Hamburg, DE – Mojo Club
09/26 – Berlin, DE – Passionskirche
09/29 – Milan, IT – Santeria Toscana 31
09/30 – Bologna, IT – Estragon
10/2 – Rome, IT – Auditorium Parco della Musica
10/5 – Oslo, NO – Rockefeller Music Hall
10/7 – Stockholm, SE – Södra Teatern
10/9 – Copenhagen, DK – Amager Bio
10/11 – Warsaw, PL – Palladium
10/16 – Dublin, IE – Vicar Street
10/17 – Belfast, UK – Ulster Hall
10/19 – Manchester, UK – Albert Hall
10/20 – Leeds, UK – O2 Academy
10/21 – Birmingham, UK – Town Hall
10/23 – London, UK – Palladium
10/24 – Paris, France – Philharmonie de Paris
10/25 – Lille, France – L’Aéronef
10/27 – Lausanne, CH – Théâtre de Beaulieu
10/29 – Utrecht, NL – Tivoli Vredenburg
10/30 – Brussels, BE – Cirque Royal
10/31 – Antwerp, BE – De Roma
11/2 – Nantes, FR – Stereolux
11/3 – Bordeaux, FR – Le Rocher De Palmer
11/5 – Toulouse, FR – Le Bikini
11/7 – Madrid, ES – Sala La Paqui
11/9 – Barcelona, ES – Razzmatazz 2
11/10 – Nimes, FR – Paloma
11/11 – Lyon, FR – Le Radiant

+ A Special Performance with Antonio Sanchez
* w/special guests Krooked Kings
^ w/special guests Bahamas
⁰ w/special guest Ondara

06/14 Leith Ross with Kevin Atwater and Kai Warrior at 7th St Entry Read More Leith Ross Lord Huron recently released Long Lost (Deluxe Edition) as the definitive version of their critically acclaimed fourth full-length album, Long Lost. The band is also doing a summer headline tour @ with special guest Leith Ross …

06/14/2023 Wednesday

Leith Ross
with Kevin Atwater and Kai Warrior
at 7th St Entry
first-avenue.com

Canadian singer/songwriter Leith Ross is currently on a sold-out North American tour in support of the debut album To Learn, More.

Talking about the record, Ross said, “This debut record o’ mine was written during a couple of major changes in my life. It’s about going through big transitions. Moving, losing, and making friends, deep hurt and betrayal, real and steadfast love, and the years in which I felt like I was truly growing up and becoming something different. Mostly it’s about learning. About myself, about the world, about people, about love. The kind of love I want to foster and nurture until my dying day. To live is to learn and to learn is the best. At least that’s the gist of it.”

Kevin Atwater and Kai Warrior to open.

Tour dates:

May 18 – Vancouver, BC – Hollywood Theatre
May 19 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre
May 20 – Portland, OR – Holocene
May 22 – San Francisco, CA – Rickshaw Stop
May 23 – Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room Highland Park
May 27 – Austin, TX – The Parish
May 28 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater
May 29 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall
May 31 – Atlanta, GA – Aisle 5
June 1 – Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle
June 3 – Washington, DC – Union Stage
June 4 – Philadelphia, PA – Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia
June 6 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall
June 7 – Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair
June 9 – Ottawa, ON – Bronson Centre
June 10 – Toronto, ON – The Danforth Music Hall
June 13 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
June 14 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry
June 16 – Winnipeg, MB – West End Cultural Centre
June 17 – Winnipeg, MB – West End Cultural Centre

If your band is coming to the Minneapolis/St Paul area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Hasbro Pulse Con 2021

Read More Hasbro This year, Hasbro wanted to update the toy line to 6”, giving these soldiers updated looks and additional details you can’t see on a smaller figure. The first wave is solid, with Snake Eyes, Duke, Scarlet, Roadblock and Destro (the only Cobra in the wave). ....

If you collect toys, then you probably watched the live stream of Hasbro Pulse Con 2021, the free two-day virtual event that took placed last Friday and Saturday.

This is mostly a product announcement platform, for toys coming in 2022, including new action figures for G.I. Joe: Classified series… which was mostly the main reason why I tuned in. There are about six new Joes coming out, all of them looked incredible. There will be three dreaded Target exclusives, under the new Tiger Force sub-line. Last / this year, every fan hated how Target under ordered the Cobra Island sub-line, resulting in numerous scalping for the “rare” figures.

I was lucky enough to get a few Cobra Island figures, but I’m definitely missing a few. Like most fans, I’m quitting the line. I say that, but what I mean is that I’m no longer doing pre-orders or paying extra money to third parties. If I see the figures, I’ll buy it for retail price, but I won’t go out of my way. It’s just not worth it.

Speaking of which, they sold-out all the special edition Zartan… so basically another figure that I won’t be adding to my collection. Like I said, I’ve stopped trying to be a completist for the Joes, and I feel bad for all the collectors out there unable to secure one figure for their collection.

So, the cool thing is that they had a few musical guests, including Taboo, from The Black Eyed Peas, and Weezer.

Weezer closed out the event with “Island in the Sun” and “Say It Ain’t So”. Both songs were played on acoustic guitars, with the entire band in one room. It sounded great, and, I’ll confessed I started singing along.

Weezer’s new album Van Weezer is out now. The record follows the release of the band’s first-ever orchestral album, OK Human, earlier this year.

Watch Weezer on Hasbro Pulse Con on YouTube.

Weezer at Hasbro Pulse Con (2021-10-23)

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Flashback: Weezer at Hammerstein Ballroom, New York (31 Oct 2009)

Setlist Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes cover) (Instrumental) Hash Pipe Undone - The Sweater Song Troublemaker Surf Wax America I'm Your Daddy Perfect Situation Dope Nose (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To with Leighton Meester Say It Ain't So War Pigs (Black Sabbath cover) Why Bother? Tired of Sex My Name Is Jonas Can't Stop Partying (Rivers Cuomo song) Pork and Beans -- Encore -- Island in the Sun Beverly Hills -- Encore 2 -- Kids / Poker Face Buddy Holly Read More Weezer Weezer's singer Rivers Cuomo brought out his dad, Frank Cuomo, and they play "Back to the Shack". One of the most touching things I have witness in my many years of watching Weezer shows. …

Everybody knows that Rocktober ends on Halloween… and usually those Halloween shows are special. In the case of Weezer in New York, we had a special Gossip Girl appearance. Audience came dressed up, so watching the crowd is as fun as watching the band on stage.

>>>
To fully grasp the emotional scope of this review, you should know three things:

1. My first kiss took place at a seventh grade Halloween party with some dude named Eugene. “El Scorcho” was playing in the background.

2. My first non-paste-eating boyfriend was my ninth grade algebra tutor, who bore an uncanny resemblance to Green Album-era Rivers, minus the braces.

3. In high school I was co-president of a dedicated Weezer fanclub called The Cuomosexuals. We mostly dissected Pinkerton lyrics, line by line.

Needless to say, this show (on Halloween, of all days) carried quite a bit of sentimental weight for me. Like most seasoned fans, I’ve pretty much abandoned all hope of Weezer ever releasing anything remotely listenable, yet I’m still willing to brave Ticketmaster fees just to hear “Tired of Sex” – even if that means sitting through gems like “We Are All on Drugs” and “Can’t Stop Partying.” In terms of band-fanbase relationships, Rivers is Sid Vicious, and we old-school fans are doped up, masochistic Nancy.

Matt & Kim photo by Konstantin Sergeyev

The show was at the sprawling Hammerstein Ballroom, an odd place to see the opening act: Matt & Kim. (Unnecessary Personal Fact #4: My friends and I saw Matt & Kim right after our senior prom. This night truly was high school redux.) I’ve seen them play in the backroom of a Texan bar and the bowels of a Brooklyn brewery, but this venue was by far the strangest. Despite this, they were as hyper as ever, dressed up as Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick and hurling candy and condoms into the audience. They won the crowd over by using “The Final Countdown” to segue into “Daylight.” Yes, they had t-shirt guns and giant inflatable spiders, and they were playing in a 1200-capacity ballroom – but there was no denying that this was the same band I saw after my senior prom.

Alas, if that was only the same case for Weezer. I should go ahead and say that I had a fucking amazing time. I was front row at a Weezer show, mere inches away from Rivers. This was the epitome of my high school fantasies. But something was amiss. This may have had something to do with the fact that they came out dressed like insects.

Yes, when Weezer took the stage, Brian was as a beetle, Pat was a praying mantis, Scott was something vague and sparkly, and Rivers –ever the Kiss fan—was a big, fuzzy purple spider. It was cheesy and nerdy, two of Weezer’s hallmarks, but what really brought it home was when Rivers stormed onto the stage, one of his many furry appendages got tangled in a microphone stand, causing him to stumble. All of this happened within the first few seconds of “Hash Pipe,” by the way.

Leighton Meester photo by Rachel Esterday

The theatrics were obviously a priority that night. Some of the stranger items of interest: Rivers brought out a ukulele with the sole intention of kicking its ass, Leighton Meester (a.k.a. Blair Waldorf of Gossip Girl fame) made a cameo to help sing some song off of Raditude, Rivers proved to be quite adept with a trampoline, Pat played Rivers’ guitar parts for most of the show, Scott sang “My Name Is Jonas” (blasphemy!), and they ended the first set with their infamous MGMT/Lady Gaga medley. Oh, and Rivers rapped Lil Wayne’s part on “Can’t Stop Partying.” Vanilla Ice would be proud.

As both an insufferable snob and helpless Weezer fan, I was torn. I went beavershit crazy during any song from the first two albums, but during anything post-2001, I’d turn to my friend and shrug, mouthing, Do you know this song? (Yeah, we’re assholes.) Soon I noticed that we were pretty much the only ones not creaming ourselves over a song like “Pork and Beans.” Weezer plays stadiums and ballrooms for a reason – and it’s because of this new breed of diehard fans who unconditionally love Rivers, regardless of his questionable facial hair and fondness for Snuggies. These are the people who close their eyes and sway to “Beverly Hills,” while restlessly checking their Blackberries during “Surf Wax America.” In short, these are Weezer’s true fans, whereas I represent their bitter ex who is stuck in the past with the emotional stretch marks to prove it.

They ended the show with “Buddy Holly,” which was good enough for me. My inner-seventh grader was dying to hear “El Scorcho,” but it went unplayed that night. I’m sure it was for the best, as it wouldn’t have been the same without Eugene.

Weezer at Hammerstein Ballroom, New York (31 Oct 2009) photo by Jason Neely

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ facebook.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Minneapolis: March 30 to March 31, 2019

Bob Mould at Palace Theatre Read More Bob Mould Bob Mould is doing a three-day residency at the Turf Club in St Paul. The popular singer sold out all of his electric solo appearance for $30 a pop. … Porcupine The evening opened with a set from area band Porcupine, led by Casey Virock (guitars/vocals) with Ian Prince (drums) and who have upped their profile considerably since adding Greg (ex-Hüsker Dü) Norton (bass) in recent times. …

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from March 30 to March 31, 2019.

Read more: Minneapolis Music Guide.

BOB MOULD BAND
+ Porcupine
Palace Theatre
Sat 03/30/2019 (7:30pm/$30)
palacestpaul.com

BOB MOULD BAND
Turf Club
Sun 03/31/2019 (7:30pm/$30/Sold Out)
turfclub.net

Bob Mould (Hüsker Dü and Sugar) is back with his 40th Anniversary tour, billed as Bob Mould Band. Mould’s latest album Sunshine Rock is out now.

Although Mould’s Turf Club is sold out, fans can still check out the legendary songwriter at the Palace Theatre in St Paul. Be sure to show up early to check out Porcupine, who we just saw in March 2019 and noted, “The teenage alienation of their version of Hüsker Dü’s ‘Standing by the Sea’ from the new record was originally penned by Norton’s ex-band mate, the late Grant Hart, and is a fitting tribute to his musical legacy.”

Tour Dates:

Mar 30 - St. Paul, MN - The Palace
Mar 31 - St. Paul, MN - Turf Club
Apr 2 - Dallas, TX - Granada^
Apr 3 - Austin, TX - Mohawk^
Apr 5 - Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom*
Apr 6 - Seattle, WA - Neumos*
Apr 7 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw*

* w/ Hutch Harris
^ w/ Will Johnson of Centro-matic

Other shows in the area:

Lennon Stella at Fine Line Stella Donnelly at Turf Club Weezer 2019 Tour Ten Fe 2019 Tour Read More Weezer Weezer's singer Rivers Cuomo brought out his dad, Frank Cuomo, and they play "Back to the Shack". One of the most touching things I have witness in my many years of watching Weezer shows. … Pixies Last month, Pixies released a brand new music video overnight to accompany the song "Greens and Blues" from the band's EP-2, which came out January 3rd. You can watch the video on youtube.com. …

LENNON STELLA
+ Valley
Fine Line Music Cafe
Sat 03/30/2019 (6pm/$30/Sold Out)
finelinemusic.com

A couple of stellar singers are coming to Minneapolis/St Paul. First we have Lennon Stella (named Teen Vogue’s “16 Young Musicians You Need to Be Listening to in 2019”) with her sold out show at the Fine Line Music Cafe on Saturday, March 30th. With the exception of some dates, her entire headling tour has sold out.

The Fine Line will be a great intimate venue to check out Stella, as she does return to the area with The Chainsmokers at the much larger Xcel Energy Center on October 5th.

Tour dates:

03/19 Toronto, ON Danforth Music Hall
03/20 Toronto, ON Danforth Music Hall
03/21 Montreal, QC L'Astral
03/22 Boston, MA Royale
03/24 Washington D.C. U Street Music Hall
03/25 Philadelphia, PA Theatre of Living Arts
03/26 New York, NY Irving Plaza
03/28 Chicago, IL The Metro
03/29 Milwaukee, WI The Rave
03/30 Minneapolis, MN Fine Line Music Cafe
04/01 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre
04/03 Los Angeles, CA The Fonda Theatre
04/04 Los Angeles, CA The Fonda Theatre
04/05 San Francisco, CA August Hall
04/07 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom
04/08 Seattle, WA Neptune Theatre
04/10 Vancouver, BC Vogue Theatre
04/11 Vancouver, BC Vogue Theatre

STELLA DONNELLY
+ Faye Webster
Turf Club
Sat 03/30/2019 (8pm/$12)
turfclub.net

The other stellar Stella is Australian native Stella Donnelly, over at the Turf Club in St Paul on the same night. Stella Donnelly is touring in support of her debut album, Beware of the Dogs (Secretly Canadian). Stella previously appeared in the area in Sep 2018.

Like Lennon Stella, Stella Donnelly is named Billboard’s an “Artist to Watch for 2019”.

Tour dates:

March 20 - Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom
March 22 - Somerville, MA @ ONCE Ballroom
March 23 - Montreal, QC @ Casa Del Popolo
March 24 - Toronto, ON @ The Drake Hotel
March 25 - Detroit, MI @ Deluxx Fluxx
March 27 - Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups
March 28 - Bloomington, IN @ The Bishop
March 29 - Chicago, IL @ Schuba’s
March 30 - St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
April 2 - Seattle, WA @ Barboza
April 3 - Portland, OR @ Polaris Hall
April 5 - San Francisco, CA @ Cafe Du Nord
April 6 - Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theater

WEEZER / PIXIES
+ Basement
Xcel Energy Center
Sat 03/30/2019 (6pm/$22)
xcelenergycenter.com

I’m always amazed at how far Weezer has grown since their opening slot for Lush in August 1994. I’ve followed the band on and off for many years, and at some point, the band did outgrow us. But that doesn’t mean I don’t still love them. Weezer’s currently on tour in support of their new “The Black Album”, a running joke/tradition since their original debut “The Blue Album” (which is technically not the real name of the album).

Co-headlining with Weezer will be another favorite, Pixies. Again, one of those bands I grew up listening in the 90s, and sort of followed Black Francis/Frank Black’s solo career for a time, and back again as frontsman of Pixies. The band is so good live, that they literally will play a different set every night... but always playing fan-favorite “Here Comes Your Man”.

Tour dates:

3/20/19 Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena
3/22/19 Memphis, TN @ FedEx Forum
3/24/19 St. Louis, MO @ Enterprise Center
3/26/19 Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center
3/27/19 Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center
3/28/19 Des Moines, IA @ Wells Fargo Arena
3/30/19 St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
3/31/19 Madison, WI @ Alliant Energy Center
4/5/19 Nampa, ID @ Ford Idaho Center Arena
4/6/19 Portland, OR @ Moda Center
4/7/19 Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
4/9/19 Sacramento, CA @ Golden 1 Center
4/10/19 Oakland, CA @ Oracle Arena
4/12/19 Las Vegas, NV @ Mandalay Bay
4/13/19 Indio, CA @ Coachella
4/20/19 Indio, CA @ Coachella

TEN FÉ
+ Graveyard Club
7th St Entry
Sun 03/31/2019 (7pm/$15)
first-avenue.com

Ten Fé (Leo Duncan and Ben Moorhouse) is touring in support of their sophomore album Future Perfect, Present Tense (Some Kinda Love/PIAS).

Tour dates:

20-Mar, Allston, MA, Great Scott
21-Mar, Philadelphia, PA, Milkboy
23-Mar, Toronto, ON, The Drake Hotel
24-Mar, Ottawa, ON, 27 Club
25-Mar, Montreal, QC, Bar Le Ritz PBD
27-Mar, Detroit, MI, Magic Bag
28-Mar, Milwaukee, WI, Colectivo
30-Mar, Chicago, IL, Schubas
31-Mar, Minneapolis, MN, 7th Street Entry
02-Apr, Denver, CO, Globe Hall
05-Apr, Phoenix, AZ, Valley Bar
06-Apr, Las Vegas, NV, Bunkhouse Saloon
07-Apr, San Diego, CA, The Casbah
09-Apr, Los Angeles, CA, Troubadour
11-Apr, San Fran, CA,The Independent
13-Apr, Portland, OR, Doug Fir Lounge
14-Apr, Vancouver, Biltmore Cabaret
15-Apr, Seattle, WA, Barboza

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ facebook.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Minneapolis: July 14 to July 17, 2017

Here are some concerts taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from July 14 to July 17, 2017.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Read More Caravan Palace My feet are still tapping, my heart is still scatting, and my lips are still smiling remembering this unique performance. Caravan Palace has left their mark on this girl. Well done, well done. ...

CARAVAN PALACE
at Skyway Theatre
Friday 07/14/17 (8pm/$35)
skywaytheatre.com

Parisian seven-piece electronic big band Caravan Palace is back at the Skyway Theatre this Friday, July 14th.

We previously caught the band in June 2016 and noted, “The energy was tangibly palpable, and reciprocated between the performers and the audience in a way I hadn’t seen in ages. While the colorful and deep hues of electro-waves hypnotized the crowd, the simultaneous brilliance and authentic 20’s swing overtones enlivened everyone’s bones. The audience was truly enraptured. It felt almost sacred, a subtle letting down of our collective guards. Caravan Palace immediately gave us permission to enter into celebration; a wild and yet knowing aliveness took hold, and we danced. And danced. There were so many smiles throughout the audience all night it was infectious.”

Tour Dates:

July 6 Brooklyn, NY Warsaw
July 7 New York, NY Irving Plaza
July 8 Philadelphia, PA Theatre of Living Arts
July 11 Kansas City, MO Arvest Bank Theatre
July 12 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre
July 14 Minneapolis, MN Skyway Theatre
July 15 Chicago, IL House of Blues
July 16 Detroit, MI St. Andrews Hall
July 20 Baie St. Paul, QC Le Festif!

Read More Starkey Hearing Foundation Celebrities, sports figures, and dignitaries all descended on St Paul over the weekend to attend The Starkey Hearing Foundation 16th Annual Awards Gala, which generated a...

THE STARKEY HEARING FOUNDATION
at Rivercentre
Sunday 07/16/17 (3pm/$$)
rivercentre.org

So The World May Hear—

Saint Paul’s Rivercentre rolls out the Hollywood-style red carpet this coming Sunday for one of the most anticipated events of the year, The Starkey Hearing Foundation 17^th Annual Awards Gala.

The So The World May Hear Awards Gala is one of the most acclaimed fundraising events in the country. Because of the generosity of gala sponsors and guests, Starkey Hearing Foundation is leading the world in the creation of a community-based hearing healthcare program and other global strategic hearing health initiatives.

This year’s honorees include Ben Affleck, director, actor, writer, producer, and founder of Eastern Congo Initiative; Esther Lungu, First Lady of Zambia; the Wilf Family Foundations; FedEx; and Scott Borchetta and Sandi Spika Borchetta of Big Machine Records and Music Has Value.

The evening’s entertainment, hosted by emcee Sinbad, will also include exclusive performances by Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler with his Nashville-based The Loving Mary Band; country singer/songwriter Darius Rucker; legendary CCR frontman and singer/songwriter John Fogerty; Zambian pop singer and philanthropist Portia Clark; 13-year-old singer/ukulele winner of America’s Got Talent Grace VanderWaal; and acclaimed Australian vocal group ARIA.

The gala itself is anticipated to generate more than $9 million, which will accelerate the pace and scope of Starkey Hearing Foundation missions and locally. Proceeds will also support grants for local and regional nonprofits.

Numerous other local and international celebrities are expected to appear:

Television personality Caitlyn Jenner; Daymond John (Shark Tank); Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker; comedian Norm Crosby; Steven Bauer (Ray Donovan; Scarface); Quinton Aaron (The Blind Side); deaf actress Trishelle Edmond (Master of None); and actors Kevin Sorbo (Hercules), Chris McDonald, Verne Troyer (Mini-Me), Frankie Muniz, (Malcolm in the Middle) and Chris and Kyle Massey.

American Idol winner/country artist Trent Harmon; drummer Danny Seraphine of Chicago; musician Rohan Marley; Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Sam Moore; acclaimed songwriter Paul Williams; and Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo.

Boxers Evander Holyfield and Andre Berto; paralympian Mallory Weggemann; NFL’s Larry Fitzgerald Jr., Kyle Rudolph, Chad Greenway, Stephon Diggs, Sam Bradford, Harrison Smith, Xavier Rhodes, Alex Boone, Michael Floyd, Greg Jennings, Andre Roberts, Carl Eller, Chuck Foreman, Chris Doleman, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Moe Williams, Will Witherspoon, Tommie Harris, Derrick Coleman, Robert Smith; NBA’s Karl Anthony Towns, Cole Aldrich, Joe Young, Dikembe Mutombo, Ralph Sampson; MLB’s Barry Zito, Roberto Clemente Jr.; and soccer star Tony Sanneh; and former first daughter and philanthropist Barbara Pierce Bush.

A public area outside the Rivercentre is available to view the Red Carpet arrivals as well.

Limited availability for the Gala remains, with ticket and participation opportunities available here: starkeyhearingfoundation.org/gala

Read More SWMRS Recently, Bay Area quartet SWMRS (Swimmers) released their debut single "Miley", which i-D Magazine described as "the most punk tribute to Miley Cyrus ever." Singer Cole Becker .… The Wrecks The all-ages show started earlier than the usual show time, but that did not stop the fans from showing up early and on time for the first opener, The Wrecks (Nick Anderson, Aaron Kelley …

ALL TIME LOW
at Palace Theatre
Sunday 07/16/17 (5pm/$27.50)
palacestpaul.com

All Time Low will be headlining the Palace Theatre in St Paul this Sunday, July 16th. Please note that this is an all-ages show so show up early to check out SWMRS, Waterparks and The Wrecks.

We previously caught The Wrecks  when they were only 11 months old in October 2016. By now, the Los Angeles alternative rock band are seasoned professionals.

As for bay area quartet SWMRS, we previously caught them in November 2016 and noted, “SWMRS’ music is a very upbeat, in-your-face, style of rock n roll. It’s got a classic sound but a unique feeling to it which makes it something memorable.”

Tour Dates:

07/11 @ Showbox Sodo Seattle, WA
07/13 @ The Complex Salt Lake City, UT
07/14 @ Fillmore Auditorium Denver, CO
07/15 @ Uptown Theater Kansas City, MO
07/16 @ Palace Theatre St. Paul, MN
07/18 @ The Pageant Saint Louis, MO
07/20 @ Royal Oak Music Theatre Royal Oak, MI
07/21 @ Aragon Ballroom Chicago Heights, IL
07/22 @ Eagles Ballroom Milwaukee, WI
07/23 @ Express Live! Columbus, OH
07/25 @ Stage AE Pittsburgh, PA
07/26 @ Rapids Theatre Niagara Falls, NY
07/28 @ House of Blues Boston, MA
07/29 @ The Fillmore Philadelphia, PA
07/30 @ The Fillmore Philadelphia, PA
07/31 @ Central Park New York, NY
08/02 @ Rams Head Live Baltimore, MD
08/03 @ Rams Head Live Baltimore, MD
08/04 @ The Ritz Raleigh, NC
08/05 @ Tabernacle Atlanta, GA
08/06 @ House Of Blues Lake Buena Vista, FL
08/07 @ House Of Blues Lake Buena Vista, FL

Read More Weezer Weezer's singer Rivers Cuomo brought out his dad, Frank Cuomo, and they play "Back to the Shack". One of the most touching things I have witness in my many years of watching Weezer shows. … Graham Parker Cult new-wave artist Graham Parker will be returning to Brit's Pub, next Sunday, July 12th. You may recall reading about Parker's previous Brit's Pub appearance from July 2013. .... Quintron I'll always remember when I saw Quintron and Miss Pussycat at the Triple Rock in 2010. I had no idea there would be a puppet show - right in the middle of a regular concert. ...

Other shows in the area:

• 07/14/2017 22-year-old rapper Phora will be at the Lumber Exchange Event Center (10 S 5th St, #300, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55305) in Minneapolis to support his forthcoming album Yours Truly Forever. The record comes out August 18th. I’ve listed the address because this is not the typical music venues we normally list. 7pm, $18.
  
  
• 07/14/2017 Queen + Adam Lambert is playing Xcel Energy Center. 7pm, $29.50.
  
  
• 07/14/2017 Our favorite nerdrockers Weezer is headlining Treasure Island Resort & Casino. Cold War Kids and The Relationship will open. 7pm, $25.
  
  
• 07/15/2017 Rolling River Music Festival is a family-friendly free event at Central Park Bandshell in Red Wing, Minnesota. Since it’s in an open area, the show will go on, rain or shine. Bands set to play: Horseplay, Sam Lewis, and Girls Guns and Glory (who headlined the 7th Street Entry the night before). 4pm, FREE.
  
  
• 07/15/2017 Quintron and Miss Pussycat is back in St Paul at the Turf Club. We love them, they put on a puppet show. It’s pretty swell. Makr and Celica to open. 8pm, $15.
  
  
• 07/16/2017 Mitski and Kitten Forever and Half Waif will be triple rocking the Triple Rock Social Club on Sunday. The show is sold out. 7pm, $15/Sold out.
  
  
• 07/17/2017 Jonathan Harms is having a Single Release Show at the 7th Street Entry this Monday. Special guests Noodhammer and Adam Biel to open. 7pm, $8.
  
  

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ facebook.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Minneapolis: August 28 to August 31, 2016

We are closing out the month of August with these shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from August 28 to August 31, 2016.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Read More Bayside Out of all the bands I listen to, Bayside is definitely in my top three favorite bands of all time. There's something about them that makes me obsess over them .…

BAYSIDE
at Mill City Nights
Sunday, 08/28/16, 7:30pm ($18/$23)
millcitynights.com

We caught Bayside last September 2015 and wrote that it was “Absolute perfection”.

The American rock band is currently back on tour in support of their seventh studio album Vancancy, available now on Hopeless Records in North America.

Singer/guitar player Anthony Raneri (who recently move to Nashville) tells the story of his his marriage and finding himself alone in Nashville: “The hotel on the album cover reflects the feelings I had while working on Vacancy. Writing this album, I felt as if everything was uncertain, I could move back to New York, buy a house in Nashville… I just didn’t know what was going to come next. I felt very isolated and as if everything in my life was temporary at that moment.”

The Menzingers and Sorority Noise to open.

Tour dates:

08/20 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom
08/21 Boston, MA House of Blues
08/23 Pittsburgh, PA Altar Bar
08/24 Cleveland, OH Agora
08/25 Toronto, ON Opera House
08/26 Detroit, MI The Majestic
08/27 Chicago, IL Beer Festival
08/28 Minneapolis, MN Mill City Nights
08/30 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre
08/31 Salt Lake City, UT The Complex
09/02 Seattle, WA The Showbox
09/03 Portland, OR Hawthorne Theatre
09/04 San Francisco Regency
09/06 Santa Ana, CA The Observatory
09/07 Los Angeles, CA Regent Theater
09/08 San Diego, CA The Observatory North Park
09/09 Las Vegas, NV Brooklyn Bowl
09/10 Phoenix, AZ The Pressroom
09/11 Albuquerque, NM The Sunshine Theater
09/13 San Antonio, TX Alamo City Music Hall
09/14 Houston, TX House of Blues
09/15 Dallas, TX Gas Monkey Live
09/16 Lawrence, KS Granada Theater
09/17 St. Louis, MO The Ready Room
09/18 Nashville, TN Exit/In

Read More A Silent Film As soon as Greycoats set ended, A Silent Film's fans raced up front to the stage: clearly, they were the band of the hour. The English alternative band had great energy, with a dedicated singer …

A SILENT FILM
at 7th Street Entry
Monday, 08/29/16, 7:30pm ($15)
first-avenue.com

Oxford’s A Silent Film is back in the USA, touring in support of their new album Sand & Snow.

We previously caught the band on their first visit in 2013 and again last October 2015 and wrote, “Oxford, UK band A Silent Film has pared down to a duo since we last saw them, bringing a fellow Oxford resident on bass and two Americans, on tour to play with them.... As a result, the band is in the midst of a rebirth of sorts themselves, and as evidenced by their newest and self-titled full-length.”

Grayshot to open.

Tour dates:

08/20 Las Vegas, NV Brooklyn Bowl*
08/21 Reno, NV Grand Sierra Resort*
08/23 Bend, OR Century Center Events*
08/24 Boise, ID Revolution Center*
08/29 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry
08/30 Kansas City, MO The Riot Room
08/31 St. Louis, MO Duck Room at Blueberry Hill
09/02 Dallas, TX Club Dada
09/03 Stroud, OK Backwoods Music Festival

* supporting Silversun Pickups

Read More Guided by Voices Current DJ Mark Wheat went on-stage to intro the legendary Guided by Voices, but first gave the crowd a score update to the US game of the World Cup. This led into chants of “USA …

GUIDED BY VOICES
at First Avenue
Wednesday, 08/31/16, 7:30pm ($25/$30)
first-avenue.com

Cult indie rock band Guided by Voices will be headlining First Avenue next Wednesday, August 31st, in support of Please Be Honest.

Broncho will open the show. We’ve previously seen the band early in their career, in 2014 and 2013, and have written that this is a very lucky band to have been on tour with Billy Idol and now with GBV.

Broncho’s Double Vanity album is out now on Dine Alone Records.

Broncho’s tour dates:

8/22 - The Independent - San Francisco, CA*
8/23 - The Independent - San Francisco, CA*
8/26 - Neumos - Seattle, WA*
8/30 - Total Drag - Sioux Falls, SD
8/31 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN*
9/1 - Turner Hall - Milwaukee, WI*
9/2 - Northside Tavern - Cincinnati, OH
9/3 - Metro - Chicago, IL*

* w/ Guided By Voices

Read More Minnesota State Fair Despite my protests, we end up going to the Minnesota State Fair every year. This is the "Great Minnesota Get-together", where everyone goes to enjoy eating something on a stick…

MINNESOTA STATE FAIR
at Minnesota State Fair Grandstand
08/25/16 - 09/05/16, 7am ($13)
mnstatefair.org

It’s that time of the year again: The Great Get-Together Minnesota State Fair! As usual, they have booked some great musical lineup this year.

Note: The GrandStand’s concert tickets are extra and does not include the State Fair’s entrance fee.

The GrandStand:

08/25/2016: Don Henley ($50)
08/26/2016: Charlie Wilson ($40)
08/27/2016: Dixie Chicks* ($57)
08/28/2016: Dixie Chicks* ($57)
08/29/2016: Happy Together Tour ($21)
08/30/2016: G-Eazy ($33)
08/31/2016: Demi Lovato & Nick Jonas ($33)
09/01/2016: Alabama ($40)
09/02/2016: Garrison Keillor ($27)
09/03/2016: Weezer ($35)
09/04/2016: Minnesota State Fair (Free)
09/05/2016: Bonnie Raitt ($36)

* Please note that one of W♥M favorite souls/blues band Vintage Trouble, along with roots band Smooth Hound Smith, are listed to open for Dixie Chicks, which is a bit of an odd billing.

Leinie Lodge Bandshell (free):

08/25-08/26: High Valley, Tonic Sol-fa, Martin Family Circus
08/27-08/28: The Bros. Landreth, Ashley Campbell, Dave Barnes
08/29-08/30: We Banjo 3, Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen, Infantry Division "Red Bull" Band
08/31-09/01: Pokey LaFarge The Quebe Sisters, The Sound Exchange
09/02-09/03: BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, Max Baca & Los TexManiacs, The Railers
09/04-09/05: Tim Cavanagh, The Last Bandoleros, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Peterson Brothers

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ facebook.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

W♥M's Favorite 15 Shows of 2015

Read More Sleater-Kinney What are you doing on V-Day? If you're a Sleater-Kinney fan, you'll be at this sold out show. According to my bad memories and physical ticket stubs, I've seen Sleater-Kinney at least three times, and have expressed sadness ... The Decemberists Sure, their music is associated with hipsters and it's fair to assume singer Colin Meloy writes lyrics like he's from 1920, but The Decemberists are an unbelievably good band. … Belle & Sebastian Our favorite Scottish band Belle & Sebastian is releasing Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance tomorrow, January 20th, via Matador Records, their first new record since 2010's Write About Love. ... Sam Smith Sam Smith has sold out Madison Square Garden in NYC and The Forum in Los Angeles in minutes, with a second show in Los Angeles being added on January 29, 2015. The month-long .... Big Star Big Star is releasing some singles on Record Store Day. This is to coincide with the release of the documentary of Big Star called "Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me", which you can check out the … Blur After the release of The Magic Whip (first album since Think Tank was released in 2003), this world tour sees Blur play Australia (including the Splendour in the Grass festival in Byron Bay) … Wizard World Minneapolis Wizard World Minneapolis officially began its pop culture weekend takeover last night, with a kickoff event held last night at the rotunda in the Mall of America. In addition to a trivia contest for … Violent Femmes Violent Femmes have announced details of their eagerly awaited new EP, HAPPY NEW YEAR. The four-track EP will be released April 18th, exclusively on 180 gram champagne clear vinyl … Go 96.3 We were really impressed with Go 96.3 FM's first Go Show #1 (featuring New Politics and Banks at Aria on Mar 2015). We were wondering how they can top that debut show … Festival Palomino We covered Trampled By Turtles' first ever Festival Palomino last year. It was such a great learning experience for us, and we had a great time... so much that it made it onto my top ten favorite shows from 2014 (out of … The 1975 Matt Healy, lead singer for Manchester UK band, The 1975, is a marked man. And this past weekend, he returned to the city where it all happened. … The Adicts The version Cristina loves is the Adicts' version. Song of the week is Adicts' "Falling in Love". ... FFS FFS - the unique collaboration between Franz Ferdinand and Sparks - have announced their first ever North American live dates. This once-in-a-lifetime tour .… Weezer Weezer's singer Rivers Cuomo brought out his dad, Frank Cuomo, and they play "Back to the Shack". One of the most touching things I have witness in my many years of watching Weezer shows. … Carole King Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is a musical on the life of songwriter Carole King, based on the biography written by Douglas McGrath. The musical has a residency at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis until the end of November. …

This year (2015), W♥M covered 346, which is an absolutely amazingly large number considering that we basically don't cover shows from December to February.

With so many shows, it's hard to just pick 15 shows to talk about... and I know there are a few that I feel bad about leaving off the list. I recommend looking over our list below and clicking on the shows you are most interested in reading and checking out for yourself.

With that said, here 15 favorite moments of 2015:

Sleater-Kinney at First Avenue
14 February 2015

This was my fourth time seeing Portland's Sleater-Kinney, and it was possibly my favorite. After "breaking up" in 2006, it was a bit of a surprise when they announced their reunion in October 2014 (with a new album No Cities to Love no less!). Of course, their entire 2015 North American show immediately sold out, but we were lucky enough to be there.... as were all the dedicated fans (who we haven't seen in quite a while).

We wrote, "I also wanted to mention that this wasn't just a SK reunion, but a reunion for all their fans. Personally speaking, I saw old friends I have not seen in nine years and it was all because SK came back to the music scene... so from the bottom of my heart, thank you Sleater-Kinney. "

The Decemberists at Northrop Auditorium
24 March 2015

Similar to Sleater-Kinney, beloved The Decemberists disappeared from the music scene in 2011. We caught singer Colin Meloy solo in 2013, and although he did play some Decemberists songs, it just didn't feel the same. When the opportunity to see them live, after they announced an unexpected new album What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World, we jumped on board on the sold out show.

Their encore, with a giant whale, was a delight: "...then was a direct hit to the gullet, with their other folky mega-epic, the bouncy ‘The Mariner’s Revenge Song’ which stretched some twenty minutes. People were prompted to scream at a certain part ¾ of the way into the song, and the reaction was not unwarranted as a large cut-out profile of a whale ambled on stage to slowly eat each of the band members in a row, to the crowd’s shrieking delight."

Belle & Sebastian at Enmore Theatre and Rock the Garden
29 January 2015/20 June 2015

My all-time favorite post-Britpop is Scottish band Belle & Sebastian. Although the band experienced some difficulties with their label (basically Jeepster Records didn't think they can grow beyond their cult-like status) and losing a few key band members (including sweet songstress Isobel Campbell), the band seemed to be in top form on this 2015 tour. They first hit the Enmore Theatre in Sydney, Australia, and eventually made their way to Minneapolis at Rock the Garden.

Personally speaking, as a diehard fan, I felt it wasn't their strongest performance in Minneapolis. They've been gone for 9 years from the city, and their song choices weren't what I wanted or expected. Still, despite all that, their two song finales were unfortgettable: "The two closing tracks, ‘The Boy With the Arab Strap’ and ‘I Didn't See It Coming’ were absolutely unforgettable. Murdoch walked on the front barrier and asked if anyone wanted to dance and encourage fans to come on stage. About thirty fans jumped to the stage and just had an absolute blast singing and dancing... and, yes, taking plenty of selfies."

Sam Smith at Roy Wilkins Auditorium
24 January 2015

We were lucky enough to have caught Sam Smith right before his road to stardom: winning six Grammy Awards (in Feb 2015) - including Record of the Year and Song of the Year - and Brit Award winner for British Breakthrough Act and Global Success.

We wrote, "With his career just starting (though he mentioned he’s had a manager since age 12) and a strong chance that he walks away with several Grammys next weekend, Sam Smith’s local debut was worth the wait, with likely several more appearances in the years ahead, to come."

Wizard World Minneapolis
01-03 May 2015

The second annual Wizard World Minneapolis was a whole lot of fun. Unlike 2014's show, this year they had a few musical acts in conjunction to the comic book/geek fandom show: Critical Hit and our favorite Japanese Superhero band Peelander-Z. Unfortunately, due to a misunderstanding, the Peelander-Z show was cut short.

As we reported, "After just 25 minutes, the venue cut off the band's instruments!! Everyone in the audience and the band looked incredibly puzzled by the shutdown. The fans were screaming "One more song! One more song!" and Pink replied, "If only we could, but they won't let us play!"

Barenaked Ladies and Violent Femmes at Treasure Island
12 June 2015

After Brian Ritchie sued singer Gordon Gano in 2007, The Violent Femmes broke up. It was only recently (2015) that they reformed, so we were more than happy to make that long drive to Treasure Island Casino in Red Wing, Minnesota, to see them. Embarrassingly enough, I thought this was my first time seeing VF, until I was reminded by a friend of mine that we had seen them in early 2000 at First Avenue. Suddenly, the memories flooded back! I will confess that I have a terrible memory.

Anyway, seeing VF was such fun! Everyone in the audience were singing to every word (expect for the two new songs), but I will also mention that I LOVE Colin Hay (from Men At Work) and he was definitely the highlight of the Barenaked Ladies' set. BNL aren't bad either, they were surprisingly a very entertaining band.

We wrote, "Say what you will about Canada's Barenaked Ladies, but they are a great live band. All those years touring, singer Ed Robertson has developed an amazing ability to randomly improvise some raps and songs. My personal favorite was the "Ring Ding Ding for Red Wing" rap, it's clear to me that they just actually thought of it while randomly shouting out rhymes."

Go 96.3 Shows
13 March 2015/07 August 2015/03-04 December 2015

We were quite impressed with Go 96.3's very first show at Aria in early March 2015 (featuring New Politics and Banks). They spared no expenses, and it showed! They would later go on to book Go Fest 2015 (featuring Cold War Kids and Matt & Kim on 07 August 2015) and Go Snow Show (featuring Metric and Silversun Pickups on 03-04 December 2015). In fact, all the Go Shows are nothing less than spectacular. We speculate that they are possibly just losing money (thanks to their affordable pricing of "$9.63" or FREE), but we also think that getting their brand name out is well worth it.

We wrote, "So, with little Snow outside, but plenty Show inside, consider the inaugural Go96.3 Snow Show a success with the hope that this becomes a bigger and better holiday tradition, for years ahead. "

Blur in Sydney, Los Angeles, and New York
25 July 2015/20 October 2015/23 October 2015

Legendary Britpopster Blur is finally back in Australia, playing their first gig in 18 years in the country. The whole gang is back (including Graham Coxon), and we love the band so much, we travelled to Los Angeles and New York for Blur's final two US tour. It's hinted heavily that this was the band's final U.S.A. appearance. A sad reminder that for this megastar band in England... that they never really broke America.

We wrote, "I'll just say the show was bittersweet. Albarn plans to spend next year working on the band that did break the States, Gorillaz, and he has enough side projects to distract him from the band he first started out in. This may be their last concert in the country they couldn't break."

FFS (Franz Ferdinand and Sparks) at First Avenue
09 October 2015

FFS is the special project of Franz Ferdinand and Sparks. The two bands recorded an album and as expected with these type of one album-only tour, they basically played the entire album. As an added bonus, selective songs from their respective catalog was also played, including the wildly popular FF's song "Take Me Out" (the entire audience was bouncing and singing along to this number).

Of all the places the band could have chosen to play, they surprisingly added Minneapolis to their limited first-ever US tour... and it was well worth it for fans who showed up to catch this unique performance.

As we reported, "Both bands collaborated to produce some of the most interesting pop songs on the FFS album. It's smart, it's catchy, it's fun, and it's uniquely FFS. While I do not think there will be a sequel in the future, this was, by far, the most interesting team-up we've seen in a while."

Big Star's Third at First Avenue
20 September 2015

This is one of our favorite 2015 shows: Big Star's Third. Every show they do is different, mainly because they have different guests. With all these great guests, you would think they can easily screw up, but they were all surprisingly well-rehearsed and seemed to know their material and what they had to work with.

We concluded, "This show was such a massive pleasure to watch. Between a stage loaded with talent and music loaded with emotion, it was hard to walk away from this and not be inspired and heartened. Big Star created some of the most beautiful and timeless music of all time, the soundtrack to our lives. Stamey, Stringfellow and every single person who contributed to Wednesday night’s performance brought that soundtrack to life. "

The 1975 at First Avenue
10 December 2015

This was our third time seeing The 1975, fifth time if you count their two promotional appearance at Cities 97 and the Mall of America... and we called it long ago: This band is going to be massive! Not only have they sold out every appearance in the Twin Cities, but ahead of their sophomore album, they've already announced a date at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium. We think it's going to sell out, which very few bands have managed such a feat. We'll wait and see. If you need further proof that the band has made it - after we saw them at First Avenue, there were bootleg T-Shirt vendors!

As reported, "From the show’s early sell out, to the stage production, and the crowd’s intense reaction to every song, it was clear right away that the band has outgrown its club confines and is destined for bigger things (something we predicted when we first saw them too)."

Festival Palomino 2015
September 2015

We felt that the inaugural Festival Palomino last year was nothing short of perfect... however, the organizers (First Avenue and Trampled by Turtles) improved on perfection! We love the new setup and, based on these two successful shows, we're pretty sure they will be hard at work on a great 2016 Festival Palomino.

We praised, "If local festivals were racehorses, Festival Palomino is best in show. Again.

The Trampled by Turtles-curated festival, held again in the inside greens of the horse racetrack at Canterbury Park in the southwest suburb of Shakopee, triumphed once more in its sophomore year, as a prime example of a highly enjoyable, expertly-run day of music. "

Rev Horton Heat & The Adicts at First Avenue
24 September 2015

This was an odd-pairing, but we were really excited about UK's The Adicts' very first Minneapolis show. They were just super-duper entertaining. The band clearly has their live show down to a T, incorporating various fun stage props, various costume changes, and choreographic dance routines. The only down side to these shows is that they are practically the same routine every night, so if this is your second or third time seeing them, it'll get old fast... but personally speaking, since it was their first Minneapolis show: we loved it.

Worth the price of admission: "If anything, The Adicts is one of the most entertaining bands touring right now. I've never seen so many stage prop used on stage, from pounds of confetti (used in streamers, umbrellas, hats, etc.) to Chinese take-out cartons (used for "Chinese Takeaway"), playing cards (used for "Joker in the Pack") to light-up plastic glass (used during "Who Spilt My Beer?") to various costume changes (hats, gloves, shirts) to beach balls, to stuffed monkeys (thrown into the audience). Although this may seem gimmicky, you can't ignore that this was a first-rate production and worth the price of admission. "

Weezer at Burgerama IV and Basilica Block Party
29 March 2015/10 July 2015

We're big fans of Weezer since 1994. Admittedly, the band's outgrown us, but we still have a soft spot for the nerdy band. Seeing them at Burgerama IV in Santa Ana was a treat, but because Rivers' dad came on stage to sing "Back to the Shack" with the band. We caught them again locally at Basilica Block Party, and it's probably our favorite Basilica show in recent memory.

The fans loved it, "As soon as the first few chords of ‘Hash Pipe’ were played, the audience immediately recognized it and started screaming and singing. Other big hits blocks included ‘Surf Wax America’, followed by ‘Island in the Sun’ with personalized "Minneapolis" lyrics, and ‘Beverly Hills’ (which did gangbuster in California, but surprisingly did really well in Minnesota as well)."

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
25 November 2015

This one is still fresh in my mind, so it's one of my favorite music event I've attended. I can probably count on my hand the few plays and musicals I've attended (The King and I, Macbeth, A Christmas Carol, etc.), but watching Beautiful: The Carole King Musical was simply just magical. The seamless set changes, the constant costume changes (and one great "quick change" costumes), the great singing and music playing... they were just flawless! It probably helped that they act the same scene night after night for the last 200+ shows, but it was still pretty amazing to witness live. I have told people that it is like watching a movie, only it's completely live.

We concluded, "If you're a fan of live musical, you definitely will want to attend a show. It is a lot of fun, and the musical numbers will bring back a lot of wonderful memories."

Below are links to all 346 shows we covered in 2015:

Basilica Block Party at Basilica of St Mary, Minneapolis (10 July 2015)

Weezer Setlist My Name Is Jonas Hash Pipe Troublemaker Back to the Shack Eulogy for a Rock Band Keep Fishin' (Brian Bell vocals) Surf Wax America Island in the Sun Beverly Hills Go Away Dope Nose (Scott Shriner vocals) Say It Ain't So Perfect Situation (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To Pork and Beans Undone - The Sweater Song -- Encore -- Memories Buddy Holly Nate Ruess Setlist Great Big Storm You Light My Fire Carry On (fun. song) Let's Go Crazy (Prince cover) Oceans (The Format song) What This World Is Coming To Nothing Without Love Just Give Me a Reason (P!nk cover) We Are Young (fun. song) Harsh Light Some Nights (fun. song) O.A.R. Setlist Black Rock Love And Memories Two Hands Up About Mr. Brown City On Down Heaven About An Hour Ago Whose Chariot? Shattered (Turn The Car Around) Hey Girl This Town Place To Hide Peace That Was a Crazy Game of Poker Night Shift / Stir It Up Mat Kearney Setlist Moving On Count on Me Fire and Rain Young, Dumb, and in Love Closer to Love One Black Sheep Nothing Left to Lose Undeniable Runaway/ Where the Streets Have No Name She Got the Honey Heartbeat Billion Hey Mama Ships in the Night Matthew Sweet Setlist Time Capsule Byrdgirl I Wanted to Tell You Winona Evangeline We're The Same You Don't Love Me feat. Gary Louris Divine Intervention I've Been Waiting Girlfriend Sick Of Myself Read More Basilica Block Party The 20th Anniversary of the Basilica Block Party is taking place on Friday (July 11) and Saturday (July 12). I have mentioned before that it's not a great place to see music (because of the talkers.... Weezer Weezer's singer Rivers Cuomo brought out his dad, Frank Cuomo, and they play "Back to the Shack". One of the most touching things I have witness in my many years of watching Weezer shows. …

The annual Basilica Block Party to benefit the restoration of the Basilica of Saint Mary, kicked off its first night on Friday, July 10th. It was a perfect day for an outdoor summer festival that just right before the entrance was opened at 5pm, the organizers announced that they officially sold out all 15,000 tickets for Friday's show.

If you're not familiar with how the Basilica Block Party is organized, it is like the three bears approach: The main stage for the big headliners, the medium-sized stage mid-sized headliners, and the small stage for local bands. The schedule is done in a way that they would play against each other, so it's actually impossible for you to enjoy a full set of every band.

Star Tribune Stage

Tyte Jeff's setlist

The first of the local bands on the Star Tribune Stage was Tyte Jeff (featuring singer/guitarist Jeff Allen, drummer Matt Johnson, guitarist Jeff Marcovis, and bassist Aaron Ripplinger). The band played a few tracks from their self-titled 2014 EP, including intro song ‘Exurb Kids Don't Know What They Don't Know’ and ‘Imagine This Before Irony’ on their 45-min set.

Rupert Angeleyes

Next up was Rupert Angeleyes, in green hair and shorts. Like their previously live appearance at Record Store Day 2015, the garagey/60s surf band played tracks from their latest album Young Sunset, including some sensitive songs like ‘Delicate Guy’ and ‘When I Fell in Love’.

Zoo Animal

Headliner for the Star Tribune Stage was Zoo Animal who had a full hour to play. The band lead by Holly Hansen (who previously was billed under Holly Newsom), and she was muy emocionada to preview some brand new songs.

Zoo Animal is headlining the Cedar Cultural Center this July 31st, with Har-di-Har and Circadia. The show will also feature an art installation by Rachel Andrzejewskiat.

PreferredOne Stage

Matthew Sweet (with Gary Louris)

Over at the PreferredOne Stage was Matthew Sweet with a full band: Paul Chastain on bass, Dennis Taylor on lead guitars, and Ric Menck on drums.

The Sweet set was a real treat, with about half his set taken from his breakout 1991 Girlfriend album, including the title track, ‘Evangeline’, and ‘I've Been Waiting’.

The real highlight on his hour long set was when Sweet invited The Jayhawks’ Gary Louris on stage to help jam out and provided backing vocals to the last four songs: ‘Divine Intervention’, "I've Been Waiting’, ‘Girlfriend’, and ‘Sick Of Myself’.

Matthew Sweet is currently on a Midwest Summer 2015 tour with California's Orange Peels.

Mat Kearney

Oregon’s Nashville transplant Mat Kearney has always been a local favorite, playing almost every venue in town, though his last Basilica appearance in 2012, was cut short and forced to be acoustic, due to storms, so his hour-long set was “redemption”, in his words.

Kearney also brought along Leagues (and ex-Audio Adrenaline) guitarist and New Brighton resident, Tyler Burkham and noted sponsoring station Cities 97 was one of the first to play his breakout single, ‘Nothing Left to Lose’.

During ‘Undeniable’ Kearney scat sang a list of all the local venues he’s played previously, and worked in a verse of a U2 cover, during his own song, ‘Runaway’, with his bulk of his set from new album, Just Kids (Republic Records).

O.A.R.

Rockville, MD quartet O.A.R. is very familiar with the Basilica stage and has also done several promotional appearances for Cities 97, so their inclusion to headline the Preferred One stage on Day One, seemed a natural fit.  Singer Marc Roberge and band were so “in the zone” playing that they didn’t break until after the sixth song, with Roberge remarking “I always forget to say 'Hi 'because we love playing so much”.

‘About an Hour Ago’ was described as the first song they ever wrote together, and the band, known for its spontaneous changes, veered from its own setlist in favor of more hits, including first single, ‘Hey Girl’.

Their somewhat abbreviated 90 min. set still allowed for three songs from their newest, last year’s The Rockville LP (Vanguard Records), with strongest crowd responses saved for hit ‘Shattered (Turn the Car Around), namesake song ‘That Was a Crazy Game of Poker’, and closing Bob Marley cover, ‘Stir It Up’.

Sun Country Airlines Stage

Motion City Soundtrack

Motion City Soundtrack can still qualify as a local band, despite their nationwide popularity and proof that they still connect in Minneapolis, was seen at a crowded main stage for their late afternoon set.

Lead singer Justin Pierre seemed genuinely excited to be play the event for the first time and the band played many of their favorites and a good chunk from album, Commit This to Memory, which is celebrating its 10^th anniversary with its single, ‘Everything is Alright’.

They also debut some new songs, including ‘TKO’, the lead single from its upcoming album L.G. Fuad (Let's Get F***ed Up And Die), due in September back on Epitaph Records, their original label.  Even their street team was on high alert, papering the outhouses with posters of the album’s impending release.

DJ Windsor spun some music during the 30-min setup on the main stage. You can see him on the right side of the stage, where Cities 97 DJs Brian Oake and Keri Noble would also come on to introduce the bands.

Nate Ruess

Former The Format and fun. singer Nate Ruess did a great job pumping up the audience for headliner Weezer. He stormed the stage with his large six-piece band to play ‘Great Big Storm’.

Since the band is relatively new (the Basilica Block Party was only the third US date on their tour), having only formed since fun.'s hiatus in February 2015, they only have a debut album Grand Romantic (which was released last month on June 15th). They were smart enough to not play all new songs, instead trickling them in between fan-favorite fun. hit songs like ‘We Are Young’ and set closer ‘Some Nights’.

He also threw in two other covers, P!nk's ‘Just Give Me a Reason’ and Prince's ‘Let's Go Crazy’. Ruess' story about the latter cover is that they would cover that song in Sweden, and no one knew the song. Of course, it's a different story in Minneapolis, Prince's hometown, as everyone in the audience was singing back, "Oh, no let's go! Let's go crazy!"

Sure, the band is still young, but they knew exactly what they were doing. Ruess had great vocals and his high energy was impossible to ignore. Keep an eye on them.

The first time I saw Weezer, they opened up for Lush at Fillmore, San Francisco in 1994. I saw them again in 2000 and 2005 at First Avenue, both sold out, of course. I believe that was the last club-sized show, in 2005, because currently, the group only book at stadium-sized venues, like Xcel Energy Center, Minnesota State Fair, Basilica Block Party, and the recent Burgerama Music Festival in Santa Ana.

Rivers Cuomo

Only a couple of songs from their latest Everything Will Be Alright In The End album were played, including ‘Back To The Shack’, ‘Eulogy For A Rock Band’, and ‘Go Away’. The latter was actually written and performed as a duet, as singer/guitarist Rivers Cuomo pointed out... so guitarist Brian Bell took over the second lead vocals. Bell also handled vocals for "Keep Fishin'", and Scott Shriner took over on ‘Dope Nose’.

As soon as the first few chords of ‘Hash Pipe’ were played, the audience immediately recognized it and started screaming and singing. Other big hits blocks included ‘Surf Wax America’, followed by ‘Island in the Sun’ with personalized "Minneapolis" lyrics, and ‘Beverly Hills’ (which did gangbuster in California, but surprisingly did really well in Minnesota as well).

They have been traditionally ending all their sets with their first single, ‘Undone - The Sweater Song’. That song is always tricky to play live because there is speaking background audio recording that doesn't always translate well in live performances. It's not one of my favorite live songs, but I can understand why the band chose that song to end their show.

Despite a late start, Weezer left enough time for a two-song encore, coming back on for ‘Memories’ and big crowd pleaser ‘Buddy Holly’. Instead of just walking off stage at the end of ‘Buddy Holly’, everyone in the band took drum sticks and started pounding on the Tom-Toms with drummer Patrick Wilson.

Weezer at Basilica Block Party, Minneapolis (10 July 2015)

vu + john ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Burgerama IV at the Observatory, Santa Ana (27-29 March 2015)

poster Weezer Setlist My Name Is Jonas Hash Pipe El Scorcho Go Away (with Stephanie Luke of The Coathangers) Island in the Sun Beverly Hills Dope Nose (Scott vocals) Say It Ain't So Back to the Shack (with Frank Cuomo, Rivers' father) (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To Pork and Beans Undone - The Sweater Song -- Encore -- Buddy Holly Read More Burger Records Yep, Burger Records Caravan of the Stars is returning to Minnesota, next Thursday. With this outstanding lineup (we've previously covered many of these Burger bands), it's likely to sell out, especially at such a small venue like 7th Street Entry. ...

Jimi just attended the Burgerama IV two-night music festival at The Observatory in Santa Ana, California, last weekend (March 28-29th, 2015).

What he reported:

Burger Records is an established record company known for releasing cassette tapes... and they've been putting on this 'Rama music festival for the last four years. Each year it gets bigger and badder, I had to go before it implodes on itself.

Enjoying a Burger

I have been to a lot of music festivals in my lifetime, so far this has been the most fun, authentic, feel-good music festivals I have gone to. Plus it is super cheap compared to other festivals (I'm looking at you Coachella). There is an air of chutzpah and moxie that is infectious from the Burger Clan. Burger Records and their D.I.Y. aesthetic harkens back to the good old days of the 90's and nostalgic as cassette tapes may be, there is one thing that never goes out of style and that is good tunes.

So going into a festival, you're going have to pick bands you like and pit them off against each other. As a music lover you will always be in an inner turmoil of which band you need to fight to see, and which ones you will pass on. So often is the case of, should you go see the main well-established band playing the main stage or some smaller up and coming band at the tiny stage. You will never make a bad choice with Burger though, because like any good record company they are curating the musical landscape. So if you're a Burger Fan, chances are you'll like whatever you see.

So here are some personal highlights from the 3 day Burger Fest.

Highlights from the Pre-Party (27 March 2015):

I finally got to meet Sean from Burger and I gave him a vintage Hulk Hogan hat.

Also amazing that the Pre-Party included some of my favorite bands was just icing on this awesome cake.

Pookie & The Poodlez, Cumstain, and Guantanamo Baywatch all bringing their A-games here. Guantanamo Baywatch plays surf tunes without a whammy bar... amazing.

Highlights from Day 1 (28 March 2015):

Weezer's singer Rivers Cuomo brought out his dad, Frank Cuomo, and they play "Back to the Shack". One of the most touching things I have witness in my many years of watching Weezer shows.

White Fang (Gnar Tapes) also kills it for me, because those dudes are just out there having fun.

Highlights from Day 2 (29 March 2015):

Black Lips and King Khan

Bone Thugs in Harmony played a tribute to Eazy E. (a tear from my eye as I pour out a forty).

Black Lips and The King Khan & BBQ Show form together and play an Almighty Defenders song.

Ty Segall encore erupts the largest mosh pit of the 3 days by playing a Black Sabbath cover.

Everyone I had talked to from fans to band member to merch sellers are genuinely nice and in good spirits. I never experience this much of a camaraderie in such a long time. It is, as if everyone in So-Cal is so down with Burger. Cassette tapes are made of a magnetic material that records the analog music. That magnetic material also binds us fans together. Long Live Burger!!!

Burgerama IV at the Observatory, Santa Ana (27-29 March 2015)

jimi ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Weezer is back with Everything Will Be Alright In The End

Read More Weezer I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Weezer. After all, this was a nerd band (who played D&D with their "twenty-sided die") and the godfather of "emo music" (according to my brother). .…

I'll admit it, I was pretty excited to hear that Weezer will be releasing Everything Will Be Alright In The End this September 30th via Republic Records. I don't even know why, it's not like I've been closely following the band since that last Green or Red or Black album? I guess I was just tired of them trying to duplicate the success of that self-titled debut album (otherwise known as 'the Blue album'). I want to see them try and duplicate Pinkerton, which, I personally think is their greatest album. Then I realized, it is because we haven't got new Weezer music since 2000's Hurley.

Everything Will Be Alright In The End is produced by Ric Ocasek, who previously helmed production on the band's first and third records ('The Blue Album' and 'The Green Album'), so, again, it'll be a return to that classic Weezer sound.... so, yes, trying to duplicate that Blue album.

Weezer's 2014 tour dates:

07/24/14 London, ON @ Rock The Park 2014
07/25/14 Belleville, ON @ Empire Rockfest
07/26/14 Les Grandes Fetes du St-Laurent
08/01/14 Las Vegas, CA @ The Cosmopolitan
08/02/14 Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Summer
08/09/14 Bethlehem, PA @ Musikfest PNC Plaza
08/13/14 Southaven, MS @ Snowden Grove
08/14/14 @ L'Auberge Casino Resort
08/31/14 Los Angeles, CA @ Made In America
09/06/14 The End presents Weenie Roast '14
09/12/14 Paso Robles, CA @ Vino Robles
09/13/14 Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock Festival
09/14/14 Chicago, IL @ Riot Fest
09/19/14 Denver, CO @ Riot Fest

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic